subject: Preventing Road Traffic Accidents: A Brief Guide. [print this page] A recent poll carried out by the AA has shown that nearly one quarter of the 19,000 people questioned were unaware that it is illegal to use a mobile phone whilst supervising a learner driver. Around one in ten people were also unaware that it was illegal to fall asleep at the wheel. The current law states that when you are supervising a learner driver you are in effect responsible for the actions of that driver.
One driver was recently sent imprisoned for a period of two years after the learner driver he was supervising caused a crash which resulted in the death of two people. The AA have suggested that learner drivers should also have professional lessons as well as practicing with other experienced drivers. When learners sit beside experienced but non professional drivers it is common for them to pick up habits.
Shockingly the study also reported that some drivers were breaking the law by drinking, sending sms text messages and failing to wear glasses that they would wear if they were driving themselves.
Almost 23% of people who took the survey were shocked to discover that using a mobile phone when supervising a learner was illegal.
4% of respondents admitted that they had broken at least one of the laws and this grew to 22% in the aged 21- 24 group.
When supervising a learner driver you are actually deemed to be in control of the car yourself. Lots of people are unaware of the responsibilities that come with supervising a learner driver.
Road safety group Brake are now hoping to get the minimum age limit for supervising a learner raised from 21 to 25.
The responsibility of sitting with a learner is not something which should be underestimated.
